Spaying and Neutering Services - Animal Medical Center of Livermore - Livermore, CA

Spay & Neuter -  Many pet owners opt to spay or neuter their pets. Spaying and neutering from Animal Medical Center of Livermore are important for preventing unplanned or unwanted litters, and reducing pet overpopulation. The American Veterinary Medical Association shares this important information. 

Why spay or neuter?

Established health benefits include protection against some potentially serious diseases. Spaying female dogs and cats can prevent uterine infection and reduce the risk of breast cancer. Neutering males can eliminate their risk of testicular cancer and reduce their risk of developing enlarged prostate glands (known as benign prostatic hyperplasia).

Behavioral benefits relate directly to the decreases in certain sex hormones that occur after spaying or neutering. Removing a female dog or cat's ovaries eliminates their heat cycles and generally reduces mating-related behaviors that may frustrate owners. Removing a male dog or cat's testicles reduces their breeding instinct, resulting in less roaming and fewer urine-marking behaviors.

What are the risks of spaying and neutering?

While both spaying and neutering are significant surgical procedures, they are  the most common surgeries performed by veterinarians on cats and dogs. Like any surgical procedure, sterilization has some risks related to the procedures themselves and to the anesthesia. Even so, these risks are typically low.

Other risks of spaying or neutering are related to hormonal changes that may come with the procedure. The same hormones that cause mating behaviors also affect other aspects of your pet's health. Because of this, surgical sterilization procedures that remove the gonads may put your pet at increased risk of a few health problems. Specifically, spayed and neutered dogs and cats are more at risk of becoming overweight. Fortunately, your veterinarian can provide you with personalized nutritional and exercise recommendations to help keep your pet on a healthy course. In dogs, other potential risks include urinary incontinence in females, and certain types of cancer and joint disease.

Talk to your veterinarian about the benefits and risks of the sterilization procedure so you can make an informed decision.

When should I spay or neuter my pet?

The AVMA, American Association of Feline Practitioners, Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and several cat advocacy groups support spaying or neutering of cats by 5 months of age. This recommendation is based on the known benefits of sterilization, and the lack of evidence of harm related to the age when the procedure is performed.

When it comes to dogs, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. The optimal timing of spaying or neutering is as individual as your pet. Consult your veterinarian, who can help you decide based on your dog's breed, age, sex, personality, role (e.g., pet or working dog), home environment, and health status.

Animal Medical Center of Livermore is proud to work extensively with local rescue groups to provide low cost spay and neuter services for rescue pets and feral cats. Please ask our staff about these organizations and  services if you are caring for a feral cat in our area or are in need of financial assistance.

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